Officers and London Ambulance Service attended the address where the 55-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Beata Ilendo, who lives in nearby Harrier Road, said: “I’m terrified. I saw the police arrive yesterday afternoon - there were quite a few cars and officers.

"It’s the first time I’ve ever heard of anything bad like this happening in this area.

“I always thought it was a quiet and safe place to live for families – we’re so close to the police school and police station.”

Next of kin have been informed, but police await formal identification of the victim.

A police car remains parked outside a small block of flats in Falcon Way.

Thirty-seven-year-old Amif Ahmad, who has lived in the street for three years, said: “It’s a big shock. It is usually a very safe area – this is the first time anything like this has happened while I’ve lived here.”

Michael Petrou, 78, of Booth Road, said: “I just can’t believe something like this has happened here. It’s such a quiet area, and we’ve never had any problems before. It’s very scary.”

The victim’s Red Hyundai i20, with the registration RE62 AEA, has been stolen and remains missing. It was last known to be in the Kingsbury area.

A 20-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and has been taken to a London police station where he remains.